ACCORDIONS NOW! 2012 once again lived up to its motto: LOTS OF ACCORDIONS, LOTS OF MUSIC, LOTS OF FUN !! The Courtyard Nashua [NH] was filled solid with all three elements August 17-18. Friday evening offered the ever-popular Open Mike Cabaret, a superb concert by Brent Buswell, plus the Night Owls Jam, which ran past midnight.
Saturday began with fascinating presentations by Sam Falcetti [“Decorating a Song with the Left Hand”], Christopher Gorton [“The Deschamps Method of Teaching – Producer of Champions”], and Jeremiah McLane & Annemieke Spoelstra [“Arranging Solo Piano Works for Accordion-Piano Duo”].
Nancy Leonard offered an enthusiastic musical welcome to luncheon guests, then Paul Ramunni of the New England Accordion Museum shared interesting anecdotes about his experiences building the museum’s collection, part of which was on display all weekend for festival attendees to appreciate. After lunch, the 40th-Anniversary Lowell Accordion Orchestra, under the capable baton of Donna Michael, kicked off the afternoon with music by Duke Ellington, Richard Rodgers, and Donna Summer. Also featured was the premiere of an arrangement of “Party Rock Anthem” written and conducted by 16-year-old award-winning orchestra-member Rachel Quirbach.
Jeremiah McLane, master accordionist, and Annemieke Spoelstra, virtuoso pianist, then treated the audience to their duo arrangements of several Bulgarian, Roumanian and Slavic folk dances by Bartok and Dvorak, closing with two hauntingly beautiful pieces by Piazzolla.
The first-ever ACCORDIONS NOW! Just-for-Fun Play-Along Ensemble followed and was a big hit. Dan Mackowiak coordinated the group, which enjoyed playing his multi-level arrangements. No one wanted to stop, so expect a second annual Just-for-Fun Play-Along next August! While the ACCORDIONS NOW! Festival Orchestra [ANFO] rehearsed for its very special performance, non-ANFO members took part in jam sessions and/or visited the vendor rooms.
At the 4 PM concert, accordionist Donna Maria Regis offered a verbal and musical tribute to Tony Lovello prior to conducting ANFO in the world premiere of Tony’s “Sinatra” – a splendid medley written especially for ANFO at Donna Maria’s request. Adorable 6-year-old Kristen Flora, the “card girl” in the pretty dress, nearly stole the show, but the marvelous music ultimately won.
Carmen Vitanza entertained during the cocktail reception then took on the role of pied piper, leading everyone into the dining room where Tony’s 80th birthday cake – chocolate, his favorite — awaited, candles blazing. Everyone joined Carm in singing “Happy Birthday” to Tony, who was, for once, speechless. After dinner, at the Gala Concert, Christopher Gorton proved through his impressive playing why he has won so many trophies. But, thankfully, his talent is not mere technical show — his musicality and expressivity are remarkable — a fine concert by a fine young man.
At last it was 80th-birthday boy Tony Lovello’s turn to entertain, and entertain he did! As one attendee wrote, “of course, Tony Lovello never gets old no matter how many times I see him.” The audience lapped up Tony’s irrepressible showmanship, his impish sense of humor, not to mention lots of good music, including his signature arrangement of “Malaguena” with his amazing 6-minute bellow shake!! Evidently, the Night Owls Jammers were also inspired by Tony. They picked up and carried on again late into Saturday night. All in all, what a gratifying fifth celebration of the ACCORDIONS NOW! Music Festival! See you in 2013??
More information: 603.216.9582 or AccordionsNow@yahoo.com
